Decalcomania and method of making



Patented Mar. 4, 1947 DECALCOMANIA AND METHOD OF MAKING Benjamin Asnes, Framingham, Mass., assignor to Dennison Manufacturing Company, Framingham, Mass., `a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 3, 1943, Serial No. 480,486

24 Claims.

As is well knownv a decalcomanla comprises a backing of paper or other sheet material, a layer of adhesive and a so-called transfer or design. Ordinarily the backing includes a sizing' coat of starch or the like on the side next to the adhesive. The transfer or design may be merely a design printed withink directly on the adhesive layer or it may comprise a coating of lacquer applied over the adhesive with a design printed on the lacquer layer. There are two types of decalcomanias, direct and reverse, which differ primarily in mode of use and sometimes in the character of the adhesive layer. In the direct type the decalcomania is soaked in water until `the adhesive layer is softened enough to permit the backingA to be slipped or peeled olf and the adhesive remaining on the bottom of the transfer is then utilized to stick it right side up on the surface to which it is permanently applied. In the reverse type the-decalcomania is first mounted upside down .by liquid adhesive applied to thev face of the transfer or to the surface on which the transfer is to be permanently mounted, usually the latter, and after the adhesive has set the aforesaid adhesive layer is softened by water applied to the exposed face of the backing and the backing'is peeled oil'. This invention relates particularly to the reverse type of decalcomaniaV in which the front of the transfer, that is the side ultimatelyexposed, originally faces the backing and the back of the transfer is originally exposed.

In ordinary decalcomanias of the reverse type the front of the transfer, when ultimately exposed, in smooth and shiny, which is undesirable for many purposes where the transfer should be non-reflecting, as for example in the case of in; signia applied to war planes.

Objects of the present invention are to produce a decalcomania of the reverse type which can be produced rapidly and economically, which requires no special technique in effecting the transfer. and in which the front of the transfer, after the backing is removed, is dull and relatively non-specular.

(ci. A11-33)" In one aspect the present invention comprises y 2 i f moving the backing as More specifically the invention is characterized by filler particles which are non-specular, that is winch do not have shiny. surfaces like'crystalff line particles and which are preferably lightaforesaid, is not shiny.

transmissive, that is;either transparent .o1-.translucent. The best filler for the Purpose thus ,found-. I. comprises particles of uncooked and unccnvertedr,

starch. These particles may be particles'which c have not been cooked or converted/but merely. mixed in with-cooked and/or converted starch or other adhesive, or they may comprisel the vuncooked and unconverted kernels of partially.

cooked and/or partially converted si.archorytheyfy may comprise both. Thus the term starchvparf ticles is used herein to apply tothe aforesaid` kernels as well as to particles which have'not beenv cooked or,converted at all. At least part of the starch particles preferably comprise the aforesaid kernels of partially cooked and/or partially cony. verted starch because of the non-.uniformity in y the size of the particles. This nom-uniformityafi'ords a better surface and it can be obtained more readily by employing partially cooked starch. The size of the filler particles may vary from 0.005 mm. to 0.030 mm.; and the amountof filler may comprise any proportion of thev adhey sive layer, depending upon the degree of roughness desired, up to of the layer when dry.v

'I'he adhesive component of the adhesive coating may comprise any adhesive suitable for del Z method of making a decalcomania of therevverse type in which the transfer has a non-shiny front,

characterized by roughening the outer surface of the adhesive layer, as by incorporating in the layer finely divided particles as aforesaid, beforef the transfer'is applied to the adhesive layer. 'Con-` trary to usual practice the adhesive layer is not calendered.

A somewhat duller surface can be obtained by incorporating in the adhesive layer, in addition to the aforesaid particles of uncooked starch or the like, materials which, like the starch, are insoluble in water ibut which, unlike starch. are soluble in the aforesaid ink vehicle. These materials may be in the form of nely divided particles which are preferably much smaller than of resins of medium or high acid number,vwith sodium, potassium, ammonium hydroxide, tril ethanolamine, or other basic materials. Typical 1 on the article after the backing has l moved.

l the starch particles. .Example of this type of flattening agent are the various natural and synl thetic resins.

These materials may be in the formv of a wal ter-soluble or water-dispersible salt, such as ordinary rosin size, Staybellite size (hydrogenated rosin size sold by Paper Makers Chemical Co.)

orA they may be in the form of emulsions in wa ter, such as Ester Gum Emulsion No. 2607,sold

Pont de Nemours Co., or other dispersions of ester 811m.

Alternative flattening agents may include salts i examples comprise an ammoniacal solution of Petrex size A5HT emulsion (an alcohol solution of a complex alkyd resin, sold by Hercules l Powder Co.) and the triethanolamine salt of lmethyl, 4-isopropyl, 1-4 endoethylene (tetra-hydro phthalic and hydrous) Still otherattening agents of the solvent soluble type include water emulsion of polyacrylate and polymethacrylate esters, alkyd resins, polyphase consist of a solvent solution of any of The'solvent component of such resin or lacquer emulsion is dissipated in the process of drying vinyl acetate, or water emulsions whose dispersed the above resins, or of nitro-cellulose, cellulose l acetate, ethyl cellulose, the natural gum, etc.

the adhesive, so that the solid component of the emulsion is left in a suitably finely divided state through the adhesive layer.

The proportion of rosin size or equivalent may comprise any proportion of the adhesive layer,

1 depending upon the degree of dullness desired, up

to 40% of the layer when dry.

'By incorporating in the adhesive layer the aforesaid particles of starch or the like the surp face of the adhesive layer is rough when dry, and when the transfer is applied to this rough surface in liquid form its surface assumes the same contour. Thus when the design is transferred i and the adhesive is washed off, the front of the transfer has a matte finish. Furthermore some a lustre and this would show through the thin lm of adhesive which holds them on the transfer, but this diihculty is avoided vby using nonspecular particles. By employing particles which are transparent or translucent, instead of being opaque, the particles which remain on the front -of the transfer are not noticeable and do -not interfere with the appearance of the underlying transfer. The addition of the rosin size or the like enhances the dullness of the front of the transfer,

probably because of the penetration of the ink vehicle into the adhesive layer by virtue of the i l solubility of the particles in the vehicle.

For the purpose of illustration a typical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accomm panying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a cross-section of a deoalcomania; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the decalco' mania applied to the surface of an article in the aforesaid reverse manner; and

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the transfer been re- In the particular embodiment chosen for the Purpose of illustration the backing comprises a sheet of paper I and a coating 2 of sizing es usual. The aforesaid adhesive layer, containing particles of uncooked starch or the like and in soine cases also containing rosin size or the like, is indicated at 3. The transfer ordesign is indicated at 4. After the back of the transfer has been secured to the surface of article A by liquid adhesive as aforesaid the adhesive layer 3 is softened by water applied to the backing and the backing is then peeled ofi', leaving the transfer 4 with its rough front face 5 exposed as shown in Fig. 3. Substantially all .of the adhesive layer may be washed off leaving little if any of the starch particles on the front of the transfer, or a substantial thickness of adhesive, including the aforesaid particles, may be left adhering to the transfer. In either case the front of the transfer has a matte surface and is non-specular.

The following are typical examples of formulae suitable for use in making the adhesive layer 3.

Dextrin lbs-- 25 Uncooked starch lbs..- 60 Water gals 30 Parts Partially cooked wheat starch 40 Water 160 bemin 1m-. 21 Uncooked starch lbs 60 Rosin size--- n, ibs-- 10 Water gals-- 30 Dextrin 1bs 6o Uncooked starch lbs-- 10 Staybellite size lbs 30 Water gals-- 30 Partially converted starch 1bs 5o Uncooked starch lbs 30 Rosin'size lbs-- 20 Water gals 30 l Parts Partially converted starch Staybellite size 30` Water 300 Parts Partially converted starch 50.5 Uncooked starch 33.8 Staybellite size 10.7 Water 300 Parts Partially converted starch 79 Staybellite size 16 Water 300 Parts Partially converted starch 40 Uncooked starch 35 MethacrolB P (25% solids) 15 Water andere Partsr4 Partially converted starch 40 Uncooked starchl 35 Petrex A-SHT emulsion solids) 20 Water 125 Pounds Partially converted and partially cooked starch Water 65 Pounds Partially converted starch Partially cooked starch 20 Water f 100 like, the starch and/'or rosin are first mixed with I cold water and then added to the liquid adhesive. 'I'hus in Formula 5, for example, the slightly converted starch may be mixed with 16 gallons of cold water, heated to a temperature of 162 F. and then immediately allowed to cool to room temperature; the uncooked starch may be mixed with 8 gallons of cold water and added to the first mixture; and the rosin size may be dispersed in the remaining 6 gallons ofwater, cooled and added to themixture.

Formulae 1, 2 and 12 include uncooked starch but no rosin size or the like. llllox'mulae l, 3 and 4 illustrate the use of wholly uncooked starch without partially converted starch, whereas in each of the other formulae at least a part of the uncooked starch is in the form of uncooked kernels of partially converted starch. Formulae 3 to 10 illustrate the use of various fillers of the type which are soluble in the ink vehicle, Formulae 3 and 5 comprising rosin size and the others comprising other soluble fillers. Formula 9 illustrates the use of a material like ester gum No. 2607 which resembles rosin size in that it is soluble in the ink or lacquer vehicle of the subsequently added transfer layer, but is insoluble in referred to in Formulae 2 and' 12 may be formed by dispersing starch particles in cold water, heating the mixture to 142 F., at which point the solution will begin to thicken noticeably, and

\then cooling.

All of the above formulae relate to the liquid compositions-for forming the adhesive layer. After the adhesive coating is dried of course the proportions are different, as indicated by the following which correspond to the above Formulae 'I and 8 respectively.

Percent Partially converted starch 50.5 Uncooked starch 33.8 Staybellite size 10.7 lWater 5 A typical ink for use in forming the design or transfer may comprise:

' Parts Pigment 60 Nitro-cellulose 34 Plasticizer (for example dibutyl phthalate) 10 Ethynol 25 Ethyl-acetate v50 Butyl-acetate 10 By omitting the pigment thisformula may also be used to form the aforesaid lacquer layer of the transfer. Thus when the transfer includesa lacquer layer this layer should include some of the ink vehicle or an equivalent solvent.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purposeof illustration only and that this vinvention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. In the art of decalcomanias of the type in which the transfer contains an ink vehicle and the outer face of the transfer is applied to a surface and the backing is then removed to expose the inner face of the transfer by dissolving the intermediate coating of adhesive with water absorbed vthrough the backing, the method of rendering said inner face relatively non-specular which comprises incorporating in said coating finely divided particles which are insoluble in water and in the ink vehicle of the transfer and which are large enough to roughen the outer surface of the coating, drying the coating to solidify it in this roughened condition, applying the transfer to said roughened surface in fluid form so 'as to conform in contour therewith, and drying lthe transfer to solidify it in this contour, whereby when the transfer is applied as aforesaid its exposed surface is not shiny.

2. In the art of decalcomanias of the type in which the outer face of the transfer is applied to a surface and the backing is then removed to expose the inner face of the transfer bydissolving the intermediate coating of `adhesive with water absorbed through the backing, the method of rendering said inner face relatively non-specular which comprises incorporating in said coating finely divided starch particles which are large enough toroughen the outer surface of the coating, drying the coating to solidify it in this roughened condition, applying the transfer to said roughened surface in fluid form so as to conform in contour therewith, and drying the transfer to solidify it in .this contour, whereby when the transfer is applied as'aforesaid its exposed surface is not shiny.

3. A vdecalcomania comprising a backing, a coating of adhesive on one side of the backing, and a transfer applied to said coating, the backing being water-permeable so that the adhesive coating may be wet through the backing and the Vadhesive coating being readily soluble in water so that the backing is quickly loosened from thc transfer' when thus wet and the transfer containing an ink vehicle characterized in that the adhesive coating contains finely divided particles which are insoluble in water and in said vehicle, said particles being large enough to roughen the also contains a finely divided filler which is inl I soluble in water but solublein said vehicle.

14. A decalcomania according to claim 6 further'characterized in that .said transfer contains coating of adhesive n one side of the backing, c

and a transfer applied to said coating, the backing being water-permeable so that the adhesive coating may be wet through the backing and the adhesive coating being readily soluble in water so that the backing is quickly loosened from the transfer when thus wet 'and the transfer containing an ink vehicle characterized in that the adhesive coating contains finely divided particles which are insoluble in water and in said vehicle, said particles being non-specular and large enough to roughen the surface of the coating when dry, whereby the surface of the transfer which is applied to said coating is not smooth and, when exposed by removing the backing as aforesaid, is not shiny. l 5. A decalcomania comprising a backing, a coating of adhesive on one side of the backing, and a transfer applied to said coating, the backing being water-permeable so that the adhesive coating may be wet through the backing and the adhesive coating being readily soluble in water so that the backing is quickly loosened from the transfer when thus wet and the transfer containing an ink vehicle characterized in that the adhesive coating contains finely divided particles an ink vehicle and said adhesive coating also contains a finely divided filler which is soluble in said vehicle.

15. A decalcomania according to claim 6 further characterized in that said transfer contains an ink vehicle and said adhesive coating also i contains a finely divided filler which is insoluble in water but soluble in said vehicle.

16. A decalcomania according to claim 6 further characterized in that said adhesive coating ticles, and adhesively joining the transfer to said coating so that, when the transfer is detached from the backing, some of said particles remain joined to said inner face of the transfer, whereby the transfer has a matte finish.

c which the outer face of the transfer is applied which are insoluble in water and in said vehicle, 1

Asaid particles being non-specular and light-transmissive and large enough to roughen the surface of the coating when dry, whereby the surface of the transfer which isapplied to said coating is not smooth and, when exposed by removing the backing as aforesaid, is not shiny.

6. A decalcomania comprising a backing, a coating of adhesive on one side of the backing, and a transfer applied to said coating, the backing being water-permeable so that the adhesivecoating may be wet through the backing and the ad- 18`. In the art of decalcomanias of the type in `method of rendering said inner face relatively non-specular which comprises applying to the i backing a coating containing finely divided nontransfer to said coating so that, when the trans-l specular particles, and adhesively joining the fer is detached from the backing, some of said particles remain joined to said inner face of the transfer, whereby theV transfer has a matte finish.

19. In the art of decalcomanias ofthe type in which the outer face of the transfer is applied to a surface and the backing is then removed that the backing is quickly loosened from the transfer when thus wet, characterized `in that the l adhesive coating contains finely divided starch particles which are large enough to roughen the surface of the coating when dry, whereby the surface ofthe transfer which is applied to said coating is not smooth and, when exposed by removing the backingas aforesaid, is not shiny.

7. VA decalcomania according to claim 3 further characterized in that said adhesive coating also contains a finely divided filler which is soluble in said vehicle. c 8. A decalcomania according to claim 3 further characterized in that said adhesive coating also contains a nnely divided filler which is insoluble in water but soluble in said vehicle.

9. A decalcomania according to claim 3 further characterized in that said adhesive coating also contains rosin size. c 10. A decalcomania according to claim 3 further characterized in that said adhesive coating also contains hydrogenated rosin size.

l1. A decalcomania according to claim 3 further characterized in that said adhesive coating also contains a dispersion of ester gum.

12. A decalcomania according to claim 4 furthercharacterized in that said adhesive coating also contains a finely divided filler which is soluble in said vehicle.

13. A decalcomania according to claim 4 further characterized in that said adhesive coating to expose the inner face of the transfer, the

`method of rendering said inner face relatively non-specular which ycomprises applying to the backing a coating containing finely divided non-A specular light-transrnissive particles, and adhesively joining the transfer to said coating so that, when the transfer is detached from the backing, some of said particles remain joined expose the inner face of the transfer, the method l of rendering said inner face relatively noni specular which comprises applying to the backing a Water-soluble adhesive coating containing finely `divided particles, and adhesively joining the transfer to said coating So that, when the transfer is detached from the backing by moistening said coating, some of said particles remain rjoined to said inner face of the transfer, whereby the trans fer has a matte finish.

21. In the art of decalcomanias of the type in which the outer face o f the transfer is applied to a surface and the backing is then removed to expose the inner face of the transfer, the method of rendering said inner face relatively nonspecular which comprises applying to the backing 1 a. coating containing finelydivided particles, adhesively joining the transfer to said coating, and softening said coating sufficiently to detach the transfer from the backing while leaving some of andere" said particles adhering -to the transfer, whereby the transfer has a matte finish. l

22. In the art of decalcomanias oi' the type in which the outer face of the transfer is applied to a surface and the backing is then removed to expose the inner face of the transfer, the method of rendering said inner f ace relatively non-specular which comprises applying to the backing a watersoluble adhesive coating containing finely divided particles, adhesively joining `the transfer to said coating, and moistening said coating sufficiently to detach the transfer from the backing while leaving some of said particles adhering to the transfer, whereby the transfer has a matte finish.

23. In the art of decalcomanias of the type in which the transfer contains an ink vehicle and the outer face of the transfer is applied to a surface and the backing is then removed to expose the inner faoeof the transfer by dissolving the intermediate coating of adhesive with water absorbed through the backing, the method of rendering said inner face relatively non-specular which comprises incorporating in said coating finely divided particles which are insoluble in water and in the ink vehicle of the transfer and which are large enough to roughen the outer sur face of the coating, drying the coating to solidify f 24. In the art of decalcomanias of the typein which the transfer contains anink vehicle' and the outer face oi' the transfer is appl ed to a surface and the backing 4is then remove to expose the inner face of the transfer by dissolving the intermediate coating of adhesive with water absorbed through the backing, the method of rendering said inner face relatively nonQspecular drying the transfer tosolidify it in this contour,`

the transfer being adhesively joined to said surface so that, when the 'transfer is detached fromv the backing, some of said particles remain joined to the transfer, whereby the transfer has a matte` finish.

REFERENcEs onen.-

The following references are:.cifrecc-ird4inftlie'I 'BENJAMINASNES'- lBritish Q -"Aug., 23, 1,9283 'j 

